1. COMMON questions of law and facts in volved in these nine Rules. Accordingly, these were heard together. This judgment shall dispose of a bunch of nine writ Petitions.

2. THE petitioners have been carrying on the business as licensed cement dealers in the district of Burdwen. Licences were issued to them by the director of Food and Supply under the west Bengal Cement Control Act, 1948. Sometime in the month of June, 1978 the Government of West Bengal proposed to entrust the West Bengal Essential Commodities Supplies Corporation Ltd hereinafter referred to as the ECSC, a State Government Undertaking, the entire quota of free sale cement allotted to the State of West bengal, from 1st of October 1978 for marketing in the State. The purpose and object of controlling the distribution of the cement was to ensure that genuine consumers get their supplies without payment of any premium and at the controlled rate To give effect to the said decision of the Government, applications in the prescribed forms were invited by the ECSC from the public for appointment as a dealer in imported and indigenous cement. The existing dealers were also asked to submit applications in the said for